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Yik-Munn is a character in the 2009 historical fiction novel Red Lotus (first published in the US as The Concubine's Daughter). He exclusively appears in Part One of the novel, titled "Children of the Moon".
Biography[]
Part One: Children of the Moon[]
At the recommendation of his older sister, Yik-Munn purchases Pai-Ling, the unwanted daughter of a disgraced Shanghai family, as his fourth wife so she can sexually service him and bear his family more sons. When she gives birth to a daughter, Yik-Munn attempts to murder the baby, but is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a white fox. Thinking that Yik-Munn has killed her daughter, Pai-Ling commits suicide; Yik-Munn then haphazardly buries her without giving her a funeral. After being advised by others, he decides to keep his daughter, whom he names Li-Xia, and sell her off as a concubine to wealthy silk merchant Ming-Chou once she is of age. He makes Li-Xia live in the rice shed, routinely terrorizes her, and unsuccessfully tries to get her feet bound even though foot binding has already been outlawed. Despite being unable to bind Li-Xia's feet, he still sells her into the Ten Willows silk farm.
Years later, when an adult Li-Xia has left the silk farm and become a respected employee at Benjamin Jean-Paul "Ben" Devereaux's trading company, Yik-Munn is forced by her to hold a proper funeral and burial for Pai-Ling. He does not appear again.
Personality[]
| “ | He would soon beat the foolishness out of [Pai-Ling] and change the insolent light in her eyes to one of gratitude and respect; he would draw upon her rebellious sap to nourish his spirit and receive her pure essence like dew from an open flower. | „ |
Yik-Munn is an arrogant and greedy individual who is proud of his wealth and name. He is also highly misogynistic and looks down on well-educated, empowered women; he treats his wives as sex objects and a means to have sons. He lets his daughter Li-Xia live only on the grounds that she can be sold off as a concubine and abuses her through her childhood. However, he genuinely fears his older sister, referred to by the narrative as Goo-Mah (Great-Aunt), who is more tyrannical than he is; he is greatly relieved when Goo-Mah finally passes away from old age.
When confronted by an adult Li-Xia, he is fully unapologetic and remorseless, and only complies with her request due to being intimidated.
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 Villains
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Part One: Children of the Moon Part Two: Red Lotus | ||